Book Hill Fundraiser Close to Goal
• April 25, 2013

An April 10 fundraiser at the home of Cheryl and Mike Naeve helped to raise $25,000 for the complete the trident fence at Book Hill, accord- ing to the Friends of Book Hill Park. The charity needs $8,000 more to reach its goal.

Attempted Sexual Assault Near Rose Park
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The Metropolitan Police Department arrested Matthew Gabramadhin, 23, of Springfield, Va., April 15, and charged him in connection with kidnapping and assault with intent to commit first-degree sex abuse and said he grabbed a woman and “forced her to an area nearby and attempted to sexually assault her.” The incident was in the 2600 block of O Street, NW. A month ago, a man was seen exposing himself in the same area.

Georgetown Honors ‘Boston Strong’
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The terrorist Boston Marathon bombings on April 15 were a horrific shock to those on the scene and across America. Our prayers are with the dead, maimed and injured. The racers will return.

For two Georgetowners, the marathon and its after-effects were personal and shocking, of course.

Marsha Ralls, a business leader and owner of the Ralls Collection, ran the race until its last miles just as the bombs went off.
“I was at Mile 22 and saw all the runner looking at their phones,” Ralls said. “That was unusual, to say the least. At Mile 23, they told us they would stop the race at Mile 24. I did not yet know there had been a bombing.”

“My first reaction to all this is anger and shock,” Ralls said. “I will go back in honor of those killed.”

For runners tired, but happy to be close to the finish, “it was emotional,” she said. “No one could reach me at first. I didn’t know anyone’s number. Next time, I will have my boys’ numbers on me. My friends were going to the finish line to meet me.”
It was doubly emotional for Ralls, as she was running “for my mother and a little boy who died.”

The Boston Marathon is a race for elite runners. Ralls was stopped at Mile 24 with her time at 4:04. She is pictured at the top of Heartbreak Hill, about four miles from the finish line. Ralls plans to return for a third time to the marathon: “I am with you, Boston, and will be back next year.”

For Ryan Samuel, co-owner of Booeymonger’s on Prospect Street, the race was over in just over three hours. He had run with a friend, keeping his pace. The two were back in their hotel by the time of the bombing. Samuel, too, was angry and shocked but had no doubt the marathon would continue next year.

Dahlgren Chapel Vandalized
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Dahlgren Chapel, a place of worship at the center of Georgetown University’s main campus and campus ministry, was vandalized April 14. Chairs were tossed and broken as was a crucifix, according to university spokespersons. The organ was also damaged. The university said it would increase security at the historic chapel, built in 1893, which was been the site for many Georgetown alum weddings.

Georgetown University President John DeGioia issued a statement on the vandalism: “The preliminary investigation indicates that there was no desecration of the Blessed Sacrament or any religious symbols. The primary damage was to furniture and other fixtures. . . . I must underscore that acts of vandalism, especially of sacred places, have no place in our campus community. As a Catholic and Jesuit university, we are committed to fostering a community that is welcoming to people of all religions, races and ethnicities and that values understanding, inclusion and respect. While we do not know the motivation of the person or persons who committed these acts, nor whether or not they are members of the university community, they are of great concern.”

Rev. Kevin O’Brien, S.J., vice president for mission and ministry, told the student-run Georgetown Voice that “the crucifix was damaged in a minor way, though it did not constitute ‘desecration,’ which is property damage with intent to religiously offend.”
Nevertheless, the damage was enough to force the sudden relocation of the 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Sunday Masses. The 5 p.m. Mass was celebrated at Dahlgren.

University spokesperson Rachel Pugh told the Georgetowner: “Georgetown University’s Department of Public Safety is working closely with the Metropolitan Police Department in investigating this crime. Security has been increased. Currently, no other details are available to be released as this is an ongoing active investigation.”

The university urges anyone who may have information related to this incident to contact DPS at 202-687-4343.

Georgetown Honors ?Boston Strong?April 24, 2013
• April 24, 2013

The terrorist Boston Marathon bombings on April 15 were a horrific shock to those on the scene and across America. Our prayers are with the dead, maimed and injured. The racers will return.

For two Georgetowners, the marathon and its after-effects were personal and shocking, of course.

Marsha Ralls, a business leader and owner of the Ralls Collection, ran the race until its last miles just as the bombs went off.
?I was at Mile 22 and saw all the runner looking at their phones,? Ralls said. ?That was unusual, to say the least. At Mile 23, they told us they would stop the race at Mile 24. I did not yet know there had been a bombing.?

?My first reaction to all this is anger and shock,? Ralls said. ?I will go back in honor of those killed.?

For runners tired, but happy to be close to the finish, ?it was emotional,? she said. ?No one could reach me at first. I didn?t know anyone?s number. Next time, I will have my boys? numbers on me. My friends were going to the finish line to meet me.?
It was doubly emotional for Ralls, as she was running ?for my mother and a little boy who died.?

The Boston Marathon is a race for elite runners. Ralls was stopped at Mile 24 with her time at 4:04. She is pictured at the top of Heartbreak Hill, about four miles from the finish line. Ralls plans to return for a third time to the marathon: ?I am with you, Boston, and will be back next year.?

For Ryan Samuel, co-owner of Booeymonger?s on Prospect Street, the race was over in just over three hours. He had run with a friend, keeping his pace. The two were back in their hotel by the time of the bombing. Samuel, too, was angry and shocked but had no doubt the marathon would continue next year.

D.C.?s ?Potholepalooza? BeginsApril 24, 2013
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It?s really not about music or about grass, although the word sounds that way. Potholepalooza is the District?s month-long spring campaign to repair damaged roadways across the city. Residents and commuters can notify DDOT about pothole in a variety of ways:
1.Call the Mayor?s Call Center at 311;
2.Use the On-line Service Request Center at 311.dc.gov;
3.Tweet to twitter.com/DDOTDC;
4.Email to Potholepalooza@dc.gov;
5.Use the District?s new DC311 smartphone application ;
6.Post a comment on the Potholpalooza Facebook page

Bouvier House Sells for $8.6 Million
• April 19, 2013

An O Street house, built in 1874 and once owned by the mother of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, has sold for $8.6 million. It also has been owned by Armistead Peter, Laughlin Phillips and Louis Mackall. Janet Lee Bouvier and High Auchincloss owned it in the 1960s.

Washington Fine Properties managed the deal for owner Donald Roth of EMP Global, who bought it in 2001 for $3.7 million. WFP agents Kimberly Casey and Daryl Judy represented the buyer, while Willliam F.X. Moody, Robert Hryniewicki and Adam Rackliffe represented Roth.

Bill and Hillary Clinton looked at the corner house at 3044 O Street, across from Christ Church, in 2000 but instead chose to move to the most secluded Whitehaven Street.

Bonhams Offers Appraisals, Auction Highlights, April 27, 28
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As if the last week in April were not busy enough, Bonhams will exhibit auction items and offer free appraisals during its the Spring Exhibition Weekend, April 27 and 28, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Georgetown.

Coinciding with the annual White House Correspondents Dinner weekend and other receptions, Bonhams will present major highlights from its spring auctions in London and New York, letting attendees preview some of the items coming up for auction worldwide this year.

Fine paintings on offer by such luminaries as Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot, Mel Ramos and Eastman Johnson will grace the walls of the event space, complemented by displays of fine jewelry, rare books and decorative arts, including fine Chinese snuff bottles.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to bring their own treasures for a complimentary evaluation by Bonhams international roster of specialists.

Bonhams has a track record of achieving top results with auction items sourced in the Washington area. Notable local discoveries include a James Carol Beckwith painting found in Virginia and sold at Bonhams New York for $236,000 as well as a “Shanbodong” jade figure of Pindola by Yang Yuxuan from the Qing Dynasty found in Washington, D.C., and sold at Bonhams Hong Kong for $495,200. A world-record was achieved at Bonhams London for a Vasili Dmitrievich Polenov painting from Virginia, which sold for $6,366,450.

The exhibition is free and open to the public from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, April 27; noon to 5 p.m., Sunday, April 28. Also, available vintage motorcars will be on display in the entryway of the Four Seasons, including a 1923 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost. Complimentary appraisals are available on April 27 by appointment. Contact Martin Gammon, Vice President of Business Development and Museum Services at Bonhams, at 202-333-1696. 

Jack’s Boathouse Will Close, Owner Says
• April 10, 2013

“At some point, you can’t fight the Feds,” said Jack’s Boathouse owner Paul Simkin. “We [Jack’s Boathouse] will not be there. We know when we’ve been beaten.”

Simkin responded to the Georgetowner, concerning the March 28 United States Court for the District of Columbia decision to dismiss Jack’s Boathouse case in which it claimed that the National Park Service did not have jurisdiction over the land where the boathouse sits. Jack’s Boathouse has been fighting its removal from the Potomac River shore at 3500 K St., NW, since December. The decision seriously damaged Simkin’s legal challenge to the NPS eviction.

Nevertheless, Simkin seemed at peace with his own decision to withdraw from the fight and praised the new boat rental company that will work at the old Jack’s site. He also claimed a certain moral victory.

“Our objective was to stay there and keep working for another 70 years,” Simkin said. “If that were not possible, we intended to keep out the big corporate operators as well as a big collegiate boathouse. Neither will come to pass because of our fight, our supporters and the visibility of the assorted shenanigans.”

On March 4, the NPS awarded B&G Outdoor Recreation of Boston the contract to operate on the site of Jack’s Boathouse.

“For me, the next best solution is that the new folks coming have a philosophy like ours,” Simkin said. “If the boathouse space cannot be under our leadership, I cannot think of a better fit for Georgetown than B&G. They are good people and love the water, and we ask our supporters and customers to support them. B&G has assured me that it will hire all of Jack’s former employees. And that makes me rest easier.”

Jack’s Boathouse has been renting canoe and kayaks since 1945 when it was opened by Jack Baxter, a former police officer.

“You win some,” Simkin said. “You lose some. In the end, we believe we have come out ahead.”

7-Eleven Designs for Wisconsin & O Store Criticized
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Oh, thank heaven for . . . on second thought, go to . . . or, at least, design school, say critics of the proposed look of the 7-Eleven retail store slated for the vacant store at Wisconsin Avenue and O Street. It will occupy the space which housed Doc Dalinsky’s Pharmacy, a Georgetown history lesson in itself. O Street businessman and architect Robert Bell was one of the harshest critics of the 7-Eleven designs, when they were discussed at the Georgetown-Burleith Advisory Neighborhood Commission meeting April 1.

“The concerns of myself and the merchants whom I have talked to on this block and on Wisconsin Avenue are both architectural and functional,” Bell told the Georgetowner after the Old Georgetown Board met last week, when it voted against 7-Eleven designs and ordered the store to have unobstructed windows.
 
“Many of the context architectural issues were addressed at the Old Georgetown Board,” Bell said. “Window design is critical to a vital Georgetown. OGB member Steve Muse was very succinct about the “dead space” created by many businesses on Wisconsin. He pointed out that the street should be a shopping street where the urban goal is to encourage ‘window shopping’ where the pleasures of walking in a historic district are enriched with shopping and eating.  The design by 7-Eleven eliminates that pleasure on a large section of the building by blanking off the windows and introduces a door design from a strip shopping center.  Most of the most onerous elements were rejected by the OGB which requested that 7-Eleven redesign the interior to place people instead of machines at the first and second floor windows.  We want the principles of eyes on the street from  ‘The Life and Death of American Cities’ by Jane Jacobs to be applied by 7-Eleven and all stores in Georgetown.   Every window in Georgetown is gift to the vitality of the community. Proper design inside and out is crucial to making this a great town.”   
 
Bell offered more design criticism for the town and its shopkeepers: “I was disappointed that the Old Georgetown Board and ANC approved back-lit aluminum signage.  Imagine if every building — the ones across the street and up and down Wisconsin Avenue — adopted this standard. It would completely change the character of Georgetown.  This type of signage is anathema to historical areas and their character.  The ANC and OGB should change their policy regarding this signage.  As an owner of buildings on O street, I have gone to a good deal of effort to integrate signage in the shop windows, Why would the board allow this degrading of the texture of existing brick buildings on this street while they would never think of doing the same for the other buildings on O Street?  The signs should be integrated in the windows.”